Army·Institutional politics·In Memoriam
Chemical Warfare Service Gas Soldier
Gas Troops
Served: 1918–1973
Delivered phosgene and mustard gas in WWI; trained, decontaminated, and stockpiled chemical munitions through WWII. By Nov 1918 the CWS had 1,654 officers and 18,027 enlisted.
The Story
The Army's Center of Military History describes the 1973 disbandment as a political decision driven by Vietnam-era association with herbicide programs. The branch came back in 1976 when the Soviet chemical threat made it look indispensable again.
Epitaph
“Killed by Agent Orange politics. Resurrected by Soviet capability.”
Sources
- Army History — Chemical Corpsarmyhistory.org
- NARA — RG 175www.archives.gov